Sustainability: How Hmong Farmers Can Bring About Sustainable Methods and Pracces to Modern Agriculture By: Shennie Lee Spring 2018 ENVR 395 Advisors: Jean Lavigne and Derek Larson Methods: I interviewed Hmong farmers as well as CSA farmers and I asked them about the use of pescides and ferlizers, the methods they use to plant their crops, if they are aware about climate change and if that changes their pracces, where and when they sell their produce and the differ- ence between Hmong, CSA and American farming. With these quesons and data from scholarly ar- cles, I organized a table comparing corporate, Hmong and CSA farmers and their use of ferlizers, pescides and methods/pracces. Results: Corporate farmers use a lot of heavy machinery to do all the work on the farm be- cause it is efficient which means they will be able to harvest and sell their crops faster to make more money. Hmong farmers are used to working with their hands and specialized tools to help them plant their crops. They do not rely on heavy machinery to get the job done. CSA farmers are focused on health and their Relaonship with the community. Their farming techniques are more sustainable. Intro: Contemporary farmers care about how fast their crops/products can grow as well as what they should look like. To do this, they resort to pescides, ferlizers and GMO which can potenally affect the surrounding environment by contaminang water sources and de- pleng the land. The Hmong people have been farming for a long me and it is their way of life. Their knowledge of the land and crops derives from an inmate relaonship with the way they treat the land and crops. By treang the land with respect and non-harmful chem- icals, they can sustain their family and those around them. Research Queson: What sustainable methods and pracces can modern agriculture gain from Hmong farmers? Conclusion: By looking at the different methods and pracces between corporate, Hmong and CSA farmers, I learned that Hmong farmers know about climate change and they can see and feel a differ- ence. They are praccing to become more sustaina- ble by implemenng crop rotaon and using enough ferlizers and pescides on their crops. Corporate farmers are feeling the effects of climate change as well but with the huge amounts of pes- cides and ferlizers used, they cannot take back what was done. Like Hmong farmers, CSA farmers do plant a variety of vegetables but they focus on the different types of vegetables grown. They have a direct relaonship with their customers and is community oriented. FARMERS METHODS AND PRACTICES AMERICAN/CORPORATE Use big machines such as tractors, balers, combines, plows, mowers, planters and sprayers* Crop rotaon, mul-cropping, genec engineering, pescides, ferlizers HMONG Does not use heavy machines on farmland except for rotollers. Pracce crop rotaon. Labor intensive; use tradional farm tools to help with weeds. Use ferlizers and pescides. Community Supported Agriculture Common Ground Garden at CSBSJU does not use any pescides, herbicides or ferlizers. Implements sustainable techniques such as cover crops and drip irrigaon. References: Image1: hps://i.ymg.com/vi/w0Gw27bVC24/maxresdefault.jpg Image 2: hps://journals.openedion.org/moussons/docannexe/image/1887/img-1.png Image 3:hps://i.ymg.com/vi/-eM375RrC-g/maxresdefault.jpg Image 4: hps://minnesotagrown.com/wp-content/uploads/Farm-farm-winter-csa-1-1.jpg Background: hps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/ Sembrado_de_soja_en_argenna.jpg *hps://arcles.extension.org/pages/64614/what-are-the-different-types-of-farm-equipment Table. 1. This shows the different methods and pracces between American, Hmong and CSA farmers. Image 1. The farmers market in St. Paul, MN. The farmers are sing at their stalls selling their produce. Image 2. Hmong farmers use the slash-and-burn method to clear the hillside prepare for crop planng. Image 3. Hmong farmer harvesng potatoes. The farmer is using their hands instead of a machine. Image 4. The layout of a community-supported agriculture farm.